The dates on various documents show that I was labeled “Permanently Unemployable” a year before I was dismissed from Riverso Real Estate. I was also prevented from taking the final course to become a broker, which would have allowed me to obtain the licenses and permits that the Liberal Party was willing to give me. The dates on multiple other documents show that they were sent after my file was supposed to be closed.
Why did they do all of this? Because they knew that if I did not appeal the decision to label me “Permanently Unemployable” within the two-year time limit, it would become permanent and could not be changed.
I am a black man with an Industrial Maintenance license. In 1991, I received a kidney transplant and was advised to change careers. I was referred to the V.R.S. program, where I expressed my interest in starting a business called Earthly Basics. The company would use hemp to create over 2,500 products. I needed permits and licenses to grow and process hemp, as well as a license to make hydro from biomass gas. Mr. Shaw told me that the V.R.S. could not help me with setting up the business, but they could help me find a minimum-wage job. I told him that I needed a job with medical benefits, and that I had an offer for such a job if I could get my commercial real estate license. The V.R.S. initially refused to pay for the course, but they eventually agreed after I explained my Earthly Basics concept.
I believe that hydro is the energy of the future because it is a renewable resource that can be produced without emitting greenhouse gases. I also believe that we should switch to green energy because it is the right thing to do for the environment. Organic waste can be used to make hydro by capturing the methane gas that is produced during decomposition. This gas can then be used to generate electricity or heat. Plastic is a major environmental problem because it does not decompose and can end up in landfills or the ocean. Hemp products are a sustainable alternative to plastic because they are biodegradable and can be made into a variety of products, such as clothing, food, and building materials.
I am confident that Earthly Basics could be a successful company that would create jobs and help to protect the environment. I am passionate about this project and I believe that it has the potential to make a real difference in the world.
The business card I used when I ran for the Green Party in Hamilton Mountain in the early 1990s said, “Working with Canadians towards a greener future.” I believed that if Canada went green, it would create jobs, improve our environment, and boost the economy. My goal was to get Canadians to start recycling, which would help to reduce pollution and protect our natural resources.
What is the meaning of H.E.M.P. you ask? Harvesting, Educating, Modifying and Proving.
HARVESTING:
Canada’s natural and human resources are essential to our economy and our way of life. By developing a stronger environmental and economic future for Canadians, we can ensure that these resources are used wisely and sustainably.
One way to do this is to encourage Canadians to eat more organic fruits and vegetables. This would support our farmers and help to reduce our reliance on imported food. It would also improve our air and water quality, which would benefit our tourism industry, hunting, and fishing.
Another way to develop a stronger environmental and economic future for Canadians is to use hemp to make ethanol instead of corn. Hemp is a more sustainable crop than corn, and it can be grown in a variety of climates. Using hemp to make ethanol would help to boost the Canadian economy and create jobs.
EDUCATING:
Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used to make many products. Earthly Basics aimed to replace items made from wood or plastic with hemp. We believed this would be beneficial for the environment and the economy. We would help people who came up with ideas for hemp-based products to set up businesses to make them. We believed this would create jobs and boost the economy.
We were excited about the prospect of creating a company that would help to make Canada a leader in the development and use of hemp. We believed that Earthly Basics could have a positive impact on the environment, the economy, and the lives of Canadians.
MODIFYING:
The current government legislation regarding hemp prohibition is outdated and unnecessary. Hemp and marijuana are two different plants, and the difference between them is the level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana contains more than 0.3% THC.
At the time I was trying to start a company, medical marijuana was legal. However, I believed that recreational marijuana should also be legalized. I argued that legalization would not only make the government a lot of money through taxes, but it would also put a lot of home growers out of business. I also proposed that the government allow a certain number of plants to be grown.
I believe that the current government legislation regarding hemp prohibition is a waste of resources. Hemp is a versatile plant that can be used to make many products, and it is not harmful. I urge the government to reconsider its stance on hemp and legalize this plant.
PROVING:
The company Earthly Basics was set up in 1992 with the goal of promoting the use of cannabis sativa/hemp as a benefit to the Canadian economy and environment. The company’s objectives have been met, as evidenced by the following:
- Canada has gone green. Canadians sort their garbage and recycle more, buy green products, and eat more organic food.
- Canadians are using green energy, such as electricity from windmills and the bio-mast process, as well as solar panels.
- Canadians are cutting down on their use of plastic products and using items made from paper or hemp instead.
- Hemp products are now widely available, including in variety stores. There are almost as many cannabis stores on every street corner as there are coffee shops.
These changes are a testament to the success of Earthly Basics and its mission to promote the use of cannabis sativa/hemp. The company’s vision for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly Canada is now a reality.